Short-handed Hitmen call up Calgary Canuck Ben Thomas

Ben Thomas doesn’t know how long he’s staying and doesn’t know if he’ll even get a minute of ice time.

But, right now, the 16-year-old Calgarian is exactly where he wants to be.

Thomas, the third-round pick of the Calgary Hitmen from the 2011 Western Hockey League bantam draft, is on call and practising with the club. It’s a win-win situation for both parties as the Hitmen are short a few bodies with rookies Jake Virtanen and Josh Thrower away at the under-17 world championships in Quebec. Meanwhile, Thomas, who is on a holiday break with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Calgary Canucks, is absorbing some valuable experience.

“He’s skating with us a bit and taking in the ice time,” said head coach Mike Williamson. “It’s a great opportunity for him to get to know the guys and some of our systems a bit and for us to see where he’s at.

“So far, he’s looked really good and depending on our health situation and our numbers, there may be an opportunity for him to play.”

The Hitmen brass liked what they saw from the six-foot-two, 187-pound defenceman at the start of the 2012-13 training camp but decisions had to be made and Thomas was a victim of the numbers game.

Up against fellow rookie Josh Thrower, Saskatoon Contacts graduate Colby Harmsworth, and the recently departed Darian Henry — who all had excellent showings at camp — Thomas, a good skater and poised puck-handler, wound up being the odd man out and was a late cut.

Sent down with the guidance of becoming an impact player and playing quality minutes, he spent the first portion of the season in the Alberta Junior Hockey League; 12 games with the Calgary Mustangs and another 10 with the Calgary Canucks.

“It was a little different than midget,” said Thomas, a former Calgary Northstar who has two goals and two assists in 22 AJHL games. “Guys are older and bigger. When I got traded to the Canucks, I settled in a little bit. It’s a more faster paced game but, most of all, just playing against more experienced players.

“Everything is a little quicker.”

Thomas got a three-game WHL teaser, playing exhibition games against Swift Current, Lethbridge, and Red Deer in early September but hasn’t played a regular season yet.

“They called me on Christmas Eve and told me, so I was pretty excited,” he said. “A little bit nervous, too, but I think I’ll start settling in with a couple more practices.

“I’ll just wait and see. My grandparents are here, so if I’m playing, they’ll come down and watch me.”

In addition to Virtanen and Thrower, the Hitmen are also short Victor Rask who is with the Swedish world junior team. So, in other words, their numbers aren’t dire enough to dip into their 2012 bantam draft crop just yet.

“Beyond (Thomas), I’m not sure,” Williamson said. “With the younger guys that aren’t playing junior, they are in pretty important tournaments for their teams.

KEEPING TABS . . . General manager Kelly Kisio and his scouting crew have been frequenting the Mac’s Midget Tournament this week, keeping an eye on their drafted and listed talent. Brennan Riddle (17th, 2012) and Matt Foster are playing for the Tisdale Trojans, Terrell Draude (39th, 2012) is with the Saskatoon Contacts, Lochlan Morrison (149th, 2012) and Ryan Duret (111th, 2011) are with the Prince Albert Mintos, while Evan Johnson is with the Winnipeg Wild.

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